Adding to what everyone else has said - yes, line 18 on the 1040X is your expected refund amount. The fact that it's higher than expected actually makes perfect sense since you're adding your husband's W2 (which likely had taxes withheld) and claiming additional credits you missed. One thing I'd suggest is to go through the form one more time and make sure the "original amount" column accurately reflects what was on your original return, and that the "correct amount" column includes all the changes you're making. The IRS will compare your 1040X against your original return, so any discrepancies there could cause processing delays. Also, since you used TurboTax to prepare the amendment, you should be able to e-file it which will be faster and more reliable than mailing. Just make sure you keep a copy of everything for your records!

Yes, line 18 on Form 1040X is definitely your expected refund amount! It calculates the difference between what you originally received/owed and what you should receive/owe after your amendments. Since you're adding your husband's W2 (which likely had federal taxes withheld) and claiming missed credits, it makes total sense that your refund would be higher than expected. The 1040X essentially recalculates your entire tax situation with the correct information. Before you submit, I'd recommend doing a final review to make sure: - The "original amount" column matches exactly what was on your filed 1040 - All supporting documents (like that missing W2) are attached - You've signed and dated the form Since you used TurboTax, you should be able to e-file the amendment which is much faster and more reliable than mailing. Processing times for amended returns are currently running 16-20 weeks, so patience will be key. But once it's processed, line 18 is indeed what you can expect to receive!

Anyone know if there's a difference in refund amounts typically between filing 1040 vs 1040NR for students? I filed 1040 last year cuz that's what turbotax recommended but now wondering if I should have done 1040NR instead. My country (india) has a tax treaty with US so maybe i missed out on some benefits?

As someone who went through this exact same confusion with my F-1 status, I can confirm what others have said - the 5-year exempt individual rule is key here! Your roommate should definitely file 1040NR for his first 5 calendar years in the US, regardless of being here over 183 days. The W-2 from his on-campus job doesn't change which form to use - nonresidents can still receive W-2s and file 1040NR. For the South Korea tax treaty, there are specific benefits for students that he can only claim on the 1040NR form. Article 20 of the US-Korea treaty typically covers student income exemptions. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure he checks if his university incorrectly withheld FICA taxes (Social Security/Medicare) from his paychecks. F-1 students are generally exempt from FICA for their first 5 years, so if they withheld these taxes, he can get a refund by filing Form 843 with his university payroll office. The tax software like TurboTax often gets this wrong for international students, so definitely stick with 1040NR for now. Good luck!

For what it's worth, the American Opportunity Tax Credit does require that the student be enrolled at least half-time and be pursuing a degree. So they do need verification of enrollment status, but not grades. The Form 8863 that's used for education credits doesn't ask for GPA or individual course performance. Your parents just need documentation that you're enrolled in a qualifying educational institution. The 1098-T plus an enrollment verification letter is more than sufficient.

Your instincts are absolutely right - this is not a legitimate tax requirement. I've been doing taxes for families for over a decade, and transcripts with grades are never needed for any IRS education credit or deduction. What your parents actually need for tax purposes: - Form 1098-T (which shows tuition paid) - Receipts for qualified education expenses like required textbooks - Enrollment verification showing you're at least half-time (for dependency and education credit purposes) The IRS doesn't care about your GPA for the American Opportunity Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, or any education deductions. They only care that you're enrolled and that qualifying expenses were paid. I'd recommend getting an enrollment verification letter from your school's registrar (usually free or very low cost) and offering that along with pointing out they already have the 1098-T. If they keep insisting on the transcript after that, then you know this is really about checking your grades, not taxes. At that point, it becomes a family boundary discussion rather than a tax compliance issue. Stand your ground on this - you're not being unreasonable at all.

Here's a quick cheat sheet for Form 5329 and Roth distributions that might help: 1. Qualified Roth distribution (over 59½ + 5-year rule met) = No Form 5329 needed 2. Early distribution with exception (education, first-time home buyer, etc.) = Form 5329 needed to claim exception 3. Early distribution with no exception = Form 5329 needed to calculate 10% penalty 4. Contribution issues (excess contributions) = Different part of Form 5329 Hope this helps!

Don't forget that you might need Form 8606 even if you don't need Form 5329! Form 8606 is used to track the basis in your Roth IRA and to determine how much of a distribution is taxable if it's not fully qualified.

i'm so confused after reading all this lol. so does reducing my income mean i get more money back or not?? i made like $42k last year and already filed but now i'm worried i messed up

Hey Heather! Your confusion is totally understandable - taxes can be really overwhelming. The simple answer is yes, reducing your taxable income can increase your refund, but let me break it down in plain terms. Think of it this way: throughout the year, your employer withheld taxes from each paycheck based on your gross income. But when you file your tax return, the IRS only taxes your "taxable income" - which is your gross income minus deductions. So if you can legitimately reduce that taxable income number, you've essentially overpaid taxes all year, and the IRS owes you that money back as a refund. With your situation ($62k job starting in August, $43k before that, 7% to 401k, $2,100 student loan interest), you're already doing some good things! Your 401k contributions and student loan interest are both reducing your taxable income right now. Since you're still within the filing deadline, you could potentially contribute to a traditional IRA for 2024 (up to $7,000 if you're under 50) and designate it as a 2024 contribution. This would directly reduce your 2024 taxable income and likely increase your refund. Don't stress too much - you're asking the right questions and already on a good path!